DaveG wrote:The colony was from a late swarm, so I think I'm up against it getting them through winter. But I'm learning.
A really useful bit of extra info there Dave. There are a few practical differences between a made up nucleus and a very late swarm - quite possibly being a cast or secondary swarm. It is quite possibly a smaller number of bees than a standard nucleus would be expected to have. If you have or can borrow a nucleus box, I second the advice to change plans and aim to overwinter them in a smaller box. Even better if it is a poly one. It would be good to check and see if they have some open white brood in cells, which indicates they have a laying queen. Late swarms in nature have a very poor survival rate over winter but you have every chance if there is a laying queen and you can get them in a nucleus.
You may have to ignore a bit of the standard overwintering stuff you read as it will be referring to full hives and full colonies. I would definitely keep it ticking over with fondant. Fingers crossed mate